The News in Brief

Georgian Leaders Congratulate Pashinyan Following Election Victory

Georgian politicians from both the ruling party and the opposition congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan after his Civil Contract party won Armenia's June 7 parliamentary elections.

Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, wrote on X that Armenia had "firmly chosen a free, independent, and European future," adding that the vote reinforced democracy and strengthened the region's place in the European family.

Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze extended his congratulations to Pashinyan and said he looked forward to continued cooperation to strengthen the strategic partnership and friendly relations between Georgia and Armenia.

Federalists party leader Tamar Chergoleishvili also welcomed the result, writing: "As expected, Armenia has remained on the only right path. We will also set things right. Long live a free Armenia and a free Georgia."

Speaking after the election, Pashinyan said Armenia supports improved relations between Georgia and its Western partners.

"We are interested in reconciliation between the European Union and Georgia and between the United States and Georgia," he said, adding that Georgia is "our brotherly country" and that bilateral cooperation would continue to develop.



Canadian Student Detained in Georgia Over ADHD Medication

A 22-year-old Canadian student has been detained in Georgia after entering the country with Adderall, an ADHD medication that is banned under Georgian law, according to his family.

Simon Rovensky, from Vancouver, faces charges of large-scale drug smuggling and illegal possession of narcotic substances, offenses punishable by eight to 20 years in prison.

According to a GoFundMe campaign launched by his family, Rovensky was carrying Adderall prescribed by a Canadian doctor and had the medication in its original bottle and a receipt, but did not have the prescription with him. The family said he was unaware the medication was prohibited in Georgia and therefore did not declare it at the airport.

Rovensky is being held at Tbilisi's Gldani Prison pending court proceedings scheduled for June 25. His family said his lawyer believes there is an established practice under which foreign nationals in similar cases may be fined and deported, with fines reportedly ranging from USD 30,000 to USD 45,000.

The family also said Canadian diplomatic officials informed them they could not intervene in the judicial process.